Shillong: Martin Luther Christian University held its 19th Convocation in New Shillong on Friday. Graduates, faculty, and families gathered to mark the milestone. The event began with the National Anthem, followed by an invocation featuring readings from the Holy Bible, Bhagwad Gita, Tripitaka, Jingduwai, and Quran. Chancellor Glenn C Kharkongor delivered the welcome address. Vice Chancellor Ashiho A Mao presented the university report. The school debuted a new emblem and motto during the ceremony.
Officials honored Dr. Sandi Syiem with a Lifetime Achievement Award. SK Bose received an Honorary Doctorate. The university also presented an Honorary Post-Doctoral Fellowship to Dr. Abdullah Saif Ahmed Al-Sabahi. Chief guest and Additional Chief Secretary Sampath Kumar urged graduates to invest in early childhood development in Meghalaya. He told students to master new tools like Artificial Intelligence to stay relevant.
Journalist and author P Sainath served as the convocation speaker. He pointed to rising inequalities and warned against over-reliance on automated systems. He told the crowd, "AI has no moral compass and urged graduates to consider the ethical consequences of its use." Sainath argued that offloading writing to machines threatens critical thinking and risks wiping out India's diverse linguistic heritage.
Sainath pushed graduates to challenge wealth concentration and fight for social, economic, and political justice. He cited the Constitution of India as a guide for their professional lives. Students Baiahun Pahsyntiew and Bivek Kumar Singh spoke on behalf of their peers before taking the Graduates Pledge. The day featured music performances, the release of a Special MLCU Cover by India Post, and the distribution of Distinguished Alumni Awards.
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